Vancouver's outdoor pools have new physical distancing boxes on deck

Outdoor pools in Vancouver will have new physical distancing boxes drawn on deck when they reopen to the public on Monday.

They’re part of a slew of new coronavirus safety precautions for summer fund during the pandemic.

The boxes have already been drawn at Kitsilano Pool, where the white squares mark a six-foot distance from other groups.

“Please arrive swim ready, leave valuables at home, and stay in a designated pod on pool deck,” the Park Board said in a Facebook post Sunday.

Vancouver Park Board/Facebook

Three of the city’s pools will open for the summer on Monday, July 13: Kits, New Brighton, and Second Beach. Maple Grove will open later, on July 20.

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Pools will have reduced capacity compared to a normal summer, and swimmers can reserve time slots online. Pools will accept only a limited number of drop-in visitors.

Locker rooms will not be available, and swimmers should arrive already changed to jump in the pool. Guests will still be allowed to use the pool washrooms, though.